1. Alvin Ailey

2. Early years Born in Rogers Texas.
Moved to California at the age of 14.
Began dance career with Lester Horton.
Began his own company in the 1950’s.

3. *Company is predominantly black but He encouraged integration.
*He encouraged dancers to make their own dances.
*He is responsible for bringing black traditions and black dancers to modern dance.

4. Dancers
Judith Jamison was a lead dancer with the company for 15 years. After Ailey died she became the artistic director.

5. Famous dances Alvin Ailey’s first choreography was “Blues Suite.”
Two of his most popular and famous dances are “Revelations” which reflects his Southern Baptist background and “Cry” which was made for his mother and is a tribute to all mothers and the suffering, joy, and frustration they go through.

6. Choreography/ Philosophy
Ailey’s company does not only perform dances he creates, but has also performed pieces by Katherine Dunham and Donald Byrd.
To Ailey, dance is more than steps, form and pattern- it is theater, action charged with emotion.